Reading Fortune Cookie Sayings at the end of a Chinese meal has become somewhat of a ritual for many of us who enjoy Chinese cuisine in western society. But what most of us probably don’t fully appreciate is the fact that Fortune Cookies were more than likely invented in the USA in the early 19th century. Fortune cookies themselves are not really part of Chinese culture at all and are rarely found in China unless exported from the United States.
The Origins of Fortune Cookie Sayings
There are a number of theories surrounding the exact origins of Fortune Cookies and Fortune Cookie Sayings but the most credited story belongs to a Mr David Jung (Who incidently owned the Hong Kong Noodle Firm). The story goes that Mr Jung a compassionate man by all accounts felt for the homeless in his neighborhood and began making fortune cookies to hand out to the homeless he encountered. The fortune cookies contained inspiring biblical quotes on a small piece of paper inside the cookie written by a local minister with the intention of providing hope and messages of faith to those less fortunate.
Another popular theory is that fortune cookies were invented by Makoto Hagiwara (the creator of the now famous Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco). The story goes that Mr Hagiwara a Japanese immigrant was fired from his post by a mayor with an intense dislike of the Japanese. He was later re-employed and out of gratitude to the new mayor Mr Hagiwara invented the Fortune Cookie with a message of appreciation for his new employer found inside the cookie.
- by information overload under CC BY-ND with wpseopix.com
- There are a number of theories surrounding the exact origins of Fortune Cookies and Fortune Cookie Sayings
There are several other theories about when Fortune Cookies first came into existence but these are the two more popular theories. There was even a mock trial held in 1983 in San Francisco although this was more farce than trial and did nothing to actually shed light on the origins of the Fortune Cookie.
Regardless of their history Fortune Cookies are now mass produced and found in nearly every Chinese restaurant in western society. Edward Louie of San Francisco’s Lotus Fortune Cookie Company, actually automated the manufacturing of Fortune Cookies In 1964 by developing a machine that folded the dough of the Fortune Cookie and inserted the message inside the cookie. Since that date Fortune Cookies have become as much a part of a Chinese meal as rice or chopsticks.
The wisdom and humour of Fortune Cookie Sayings
Fortune cookie sayings often amuse and occasionally offer wisdom and insight. The best fortune cookie sayings offer some wisdom with more than a touch of humour. Some of our favourite Fortune Cookie Sayings are below:
- “He who controls others may be powerful, but he who has mastered himself is mightier still.”
- “Fear knocked at the door. Faith answered. No one was there.”
- “You were born with the skill to communicate with people easily.”
- A woman who seeks to be equal with men lacks ambition.
- The greatest danger could be your stupidity.
- He who laughs at himself never runs out of things to laugh at.
Nowadays Fortune Cookies have become big business with custom fortune cookies becoming a popular novelty item that can often add that personal touch to a celebration. The messages contained within the cookie can be customized to relate to the celebration at hand or contain personal quotes or often used as a clever marketing tool.
